FLUSHING, NY - The New York Mets today announced plans for a new addition to Citi Field that will address the fans' wishes to acknowledge the rich history of the franchise. The brand new "Angel Berroa Rotunda" will be a tribute to the values and tools that Berroa brought to the New York Mets during his time in New York."This rotunda is going to be spectacular," said former Berroa teammate Joe Randa while choking back tears at today's dedication. "This ensures that future generations will never forget the contributions of a great man and a great shortstop."
Berroa won the A.L. Rookie of the Year in 2003, beginning a journey that would ultimately lead him here to New York for fourteen games that would define a legacy.
"At my stage of life you're looking for permanence, you're looking for things that sure up the future," said manager Jerry Manuel via conference call, who managed Berroa with the Mets. "When kids and families and children walk through that rotunda, I hope they're going to reflect on not just what they see Angel Berroa accomplished, but also think about themselves and say, 'What am I doing? How am I recognizing a curveball? What was my lifetime batting average against the Diamondbacks?"
The Angel Berroa Rotunda will be located at the new centerfield entrance, and will contain images and memories of Berroa's time with the Mets and with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who moved from Brooklyn in 1958. Berroa, who was designated for assignment on Thursday, could not be reached for comment.
"Today's announcement and the ceremonial groundbreaking for this new addition to Citi Field represent the latest milestones in the significant progress and development of the Mets' new home," said Jeff Wilpon, Senior Executive Vice President and COO, New York Mets. "Angel really affected everybody in the organization during his time here, and we thought it was appropriate for our new home to reflect that."
The club provided digital renderings of some of the highlights of the Angel Berroa Rotunda, due to open in 2011:
